12 (Almost) Indisputable Facts About Resume Preparation

Here are twelve tips on how to immediately improve your resume.

1. Everyone will have an opinion about your resume. Listen only to the person who can hire you. If that person likes the resume then it’s great.
2. Title your resume with the job title that you are seeking. The body your resume must support that title.
3. The career objective is obsolete. Use a value statement instead. Companies are very interested in what you can do for them not what they can do for you.
4. Your resume, LinkedIn profile, business card, personal website and other social media content must send a consistent message.
5. No recruiter or hiring manager likes to receive a “functional resume”. If you don’t know what a functional resume is…fine.
6. Key words that support your job objective must appear in your resume multiple times in order for it to get a high ranking by applicant tracking software.
7.  The first 1/3 of your resume is the most critical. Get your message across early.
8.  Refrain from using bullets or other symbols that will be interpreted differently by different software. Stick with what is on your alphanumeric keyboard and leave the fancy symbols and shapes out.
9.  Quantitative data is king. Use this type of data when stating your accomplishments.
10.  Your resume should be two full pages…three at the most…unless you are in IT and then you have no limit. (Just kidding)
11. Go back only 10 years unless you have a good reason.
12.  No Typos.